Tim Knopp, a former majority leader of the Oregon House, announced Tuesday that he is going to mount a primary challenge to state Sen. Chris Telfer, R-Bend.

Knopp, who has been on a trip to Israel and won't be back until Wednesday evening, gave no indication in a press release why he is running against Telfer. In fact, he made no mention of Telfer at all.

Knopp, who left the House after serving as majority leader in 2003, said he "felt compelled to run" because he sees "the 2012 election as a time for choosing between two paths, one of freedom and
limited government or of insurmountable government debt and control over every
aspect of our lives."

Telfer expressed surprise at Knopp's candidacy, saying that "all the things he's saying, I've been doing" as a legislator. She said she had a fiscally conservative record and was able to win passage of legislation this session she thinks will help bring jobs to Central Oregon.

Knopp's wife, Melissa, confirmed that her husband is running but said she couldn't speak in his stead. His filing popped up on the secretary of state's database shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday. The deadline for filing is 5 p.m.

One potential dividing line between the candidates is on social issues. As a legislator, Knopp was a strong opponent of abortion and was close to social conservatives.

When asked her view on abortion, Telfer said, "We'll save that issue for another day." She added that she would "like to limit it" but that abortion is now legal under federal law. She added of social issues in general: "I just don't see them as priorities" right now.

Knopp is currently executive vice president of the Central Oregon Home Builders and said he is a past president of the Deschutes County Republican Central Committee.